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Celtic Aire: Thoughts from the Road

  • Published
  • By Technical Sgt. Mandi Harper
  • USAF Band
Chicago --  Celtic Aire, the premiere Celtic ensemble of the United States Air Force Band, embarked on their first-ever national tour this week. Travelling through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, they covered 831 miles in five days.

Like all good journeys, this one began with minor trials. The tour bus broke down not once, but twice between Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh. But, the U.S. Air Force Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) drivers pulled through like champs and got the buses back on the road! Another team of drivers met us at the hotel with a new bus, and we haven't had a problem since.

Tuesday morning, bright and early, the band was invited to interview at WQED FM 89.3 in Pittsburgh. They played four tunes including an Armed Services medley in honor of Memorial Day and our nation's veterans. Each member had a chance to share their thoughts on the music, the band and the experiences of their inaugural tour.

Kresge Theatre at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) played host to the group's first concert. Tenor vocalist and 2002 graduate of CMU, Master Sgt. Joseph Haughton said he had flashbacks to choral, opera and recital performances on the Kresge stage. "Hard to believe it was 12 years ago," Haughton said.

The following day, Celtic Aire received this note from an appreciative patron, "Still glowing from last night's concert. Loved it, loved it, loved it!! Will be looking for your recent recordings!"

On Wednesday morning, it was straight to the Jarson-Kaplan Theater at Aronoff Center in Cincinnati to unload and set up the stage equipment. With the help of the Aronoff stagehands, the stage was ready in record breaking time! With a few extra minutes to spare, the band and tech crew enjoyed dinner at a local, downtown restaurant before the show.

After the concert, percussionist Senior Master Sgt. Dennis Hoffmann said, "I loved playing for the people of Cincinnati at this beautiful hall. It's so great to be out here on the road inspiring patriotism and representing the Air Force to midwestern America."

Packing up the bus for a third time, the band pressed on to Lafayette, Ind. Upon arrival at the hotel, Hoffmann met with a reporter from WLFI. You can view the interview, including video clips from the show, on the station's website: http://touch.wlfi.com/r2643/7899b5ae.

A beautiful, historic theater in the heart of Lafayette, The Long Center for the Performing Arts was built in 1921. An accommodating and friendly staff greeted Celtic Aire and assisted with off-loading the equipment down a very steep ramp to the stage. Of course, after the concert, they had to push everything back up that ramp!

With nearly a thousand people in the audience, the energy and excitement was palpable. The audience was silent as the official bagpiper of the United States Air Force, Technical Sgt. Adam Tianello, marched from the front of the theater to the stage playing "Amazing Grace." As soon as he finished, they erupted in applause.

Tianello shared, "Tonight, I had the privilege to play for a woman who heard me perform for her relative's funeral at Arlington National Cemetery last September. She was exceptionally appreciative and thanked the whole group for our service to this country."

Celtic Aire loaded onto the bus one more time this morning to travel to Chicago. They will culminate their tour with a performance at the Irish American Heritage Center. To get your free tickets, please visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/631568.

For more information about The United States Air Force Band and Celtic Aire, to view our upcoming concerts, and to download recent recordings, please visit www.usafband.af.mil.